5-Ingredient Vegan Peanut Butter Cookie Poppers
If you love peanut butter and enjoy cookie dough, you’ll be obsessed with these 5-ingredient peanut butter cookie dough bites. They are dairy-free, wholesome, and a great protein snack.
Peanut butter cookie poppers are my dream combination (cookies + peanut butter + healthy.) Sweet cravings hit hard for me after lunch and dinner.
Having these nutritious Peanut Butter Poppers on hand allows me to satisfy my craving while maintaining a healthy diet. Who would have thought that a dessert “ball” could taste like a soft peanut butter cookie and also be good for you? Now that is my type of snack!
If you are a peanut butter lover and looking for a high-protein sweet snack, look no further. These healthy protein balls are made from just a few ingredients and are delectably mouth-watering.
They are jam-packed with protein and are the perfect easy snack for any time of the day. You won’t be able to have just one, they are that good.
How To Eat These Peanut Butter Cookie Poppers
You guys, I cannot get enough of these little treats. (Is it okay that I call them treats? I think so)! LOL. The best part about protein balls is that having them any time of day is appropriate.
Eat them for breakfast: I know, I am sure there is a confused look on your face. But, I am not joking when I say you will love these added to the top of your overnight oats (think peanut butter cookie overnight oats) or paired with a green smoothie. Ditch your processed protein bar and enjoy this dream of a breakfast instead.
Eat them as an afternoon snack: A mid-morning, protein-filled snack is part of a healthy diet. That’s because the protein will help keep you satisfied and full longer. Try having one of these Peanut Butter Poppers with a piece of fresh fruit or a few cucumber sticks with hummus. Now that’s a good amount of vegan protein!
Eat them after a workout: It is recommended that you consume protein within the first hour after working out. Protein is made up of amino acids which are part of the muscle building and muscle repair process. The protein you consume will assist in repairing damaged muscles after you workout which is why these poppers are a great source of post-workout protein!
Eat them as dessert: You can’t go wrong with a healthy bite-sized, homemade ball of peanut butter. But, there is still sugar involved so do not overindulge. Or, go for it because I know they are that tasty! LOL. If you are feeling fancy, add some chocolate chips as an optional addition to the mix.
Why You Will Love These Vegan Peanut Butter Cookie Poppers
There are only 5-ingredients. Made with only 5 basic ingredients, these no bake peanut butter cookie dough bites are so simple to make.
They are healthy. You won’t find any artificial flavors, all purpose flour, or processed white or brown sugar in this recipe. Just wholesome ingredients that are good for you,
They are protein packed. This is a great recipe to keep on hand for a quick energy boost mid day or after a workout.
They are delicious. Quite honestly, they taste like peanut butter cookie dough! Yum!
They are a healthy dessert choice. Stop reaching for processed protein bare and have these delicious vegan snacks instead.
How Much Protein Do They Have?
You will find about 1-4 grams of protein in a spoonful of peanut butter.
In an average serving size of protein powder, which is usually one scoop, there are roughly twenty grams of protein. If this recipe makes 8-10 balls, then that’s a little over 2 additional grams of protein for each popper.
Last, the peanuts add another gram of protein to each ball. Therefore, the Peanut Butter Cookie Poppers have around 11 grams of protein each.
Meal Prep These Vegan Protein Balls
As an active meal prepper, I am a huge fan of doubling recipes. That way you can make them last for about a week or two. These will hold up well in the fridge and should last up to two weeks if stored in an airtight container.
The Ingredient List
This recipe is a simple one, requiring only 5 ingredients. Yup, you heard me right. You’ll have your mid-afternoon snack prepped in less than 10 minutes. Wahoo! Below is a list of everything you will need.
Peanut Butter: In case you didn’t get the memo, good old-fashioned Skippy Peanut Butter is out and all-natural is in. Look for a brand that has only one ingredient, peanuts. Brands like Skippy are filled with sugar, oils such as Palm, and preservatives. The only downside to natural peanut butter is that it does tend to separate which means you will need to give it a good stir before using it and store it in the fridge.
Protein powder: I get asked all of the time about which protein powder brand I recommend. I use Travani but my biggest tip when finding the right powder for you is to look for a product that includes minimal ingredients that are natural and not processed. Also, make sure to use vanilla flavored for this recipe. It adds the perfect “cookie” touch.
Peanuts: Did you know that peanuts are one of the most pesticide-contaminated foods in the United States? I recommend purchasing them in organic varieties. Look for varieties that are just peanuts and no added ingredients like oils. You can use salted or unsalted and roasted or non roasted.
Pure maple syrup: Pure maple syrup is the way to go for this recipe Avoid pancake syrup which is filled with sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and other additives.
Oat flour: You can find this packaged flour at any health food store or make your own by adding old-fashioned oats to a blender.
Salt: This is optional. You will only need to add a pinch of salt into the wet peanut butter mixture if your chopped peanuts are unsalted.
The Instructions
Step one: Chop the peanuts and add them to a small plate.
Step two: Grab a pot and set the temperature to medium heat. Add maple syrup and peanut butter to the pot and give it a constant stir until everything is combined and creamy and then remove it from the heat.
Step three: Add in the dry ingredients (oat flour and protein powder) and mix it all up.
Step four: Use a cookie scoop to grab a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball with your hands.
Step five: Roll and press the dough into the peanuts coating the entire top.
Step six: Place the Peanut Butter Cookie Poppers into an air-tight container lined with parchment paper and store them in the fridge. Alternatively, you can add plastic wrap to a lined plate. They will last 7-10 days in the fridge.
Tips + Modifications
I recommend placing your cookie poppers into the fridge for two hours to harden up before enjoying.
No need to add salt to the cookie poppers if your peanuts are salted.
Other Delicious Vegan Protein Snacks
Easy No-Bake Vegan Cashew Coconut Protein Bites
Peanut Butter Blender Protein Muffins
Ice Blended Protein Coffee Smoothie
5-Ingredient Vegan Peanut Butter Cookie Poppers
Equipment
- 1 sauce pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 tablespoon oat flour
- ½ cup chopped peanuts
- pinch of salt (if not using salted peanuts)
Instructions
- Chop the peanuts and add them to a small plate.
- Grab a pot and set the temperature to medium heat. Add maple syrup and peanut butter to the pot and give it a constant stir until everything is combined and creamy and then remove it from the heat.
- Add in the dry ingredients (oat flour and protein powder) and mix it all up. *Add a pinch of salt if not using salted peanuts.
- Use a cookie scoop to grab 1.5 tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball with your hands.
- Roll and press the dough into the peanuts coating the entire top.
- Place the Peanut Butter Cookie Poppers into an air-tight container lined with parchment paper and store them in the fridge. Alternatively, you can add plastic wrap to a lined plate.
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy!
XOXO
Michelle